New Pistons owner Tom Gores: 'I want to make Bill Davidson proud that we bought this team'

AP PhotoNew Pistons owner Tom Gores stands and applauds during Monday's game at The Palace.

AUBURN HILLS -- Tom Gores is not planning to build a legacy as owner of the Detroit Pistons. He plans to build on the legacy that already exists.

Gores spoke to reporters in a suite at the Palace on Monday night during the first quarter of the team's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and spoke highly of the legacy Bill Davidson built as team owner from 1974 to his death in 2009.

“There is a great, deep organization here that existed before us,” Gores said. “We need to make the most out of that. This is not a culture you throw away. This is an unbelievable city. This is an unbelievable organization. How long did Bill own the team? Thirty-some years. We need to take advantage of that.

“I want to make Bill Davidson proud that we bought the team.”

Gores reached an agreement with current owner Karen Davidson on Friday. The terms of the deal were not announced, and the deal is expected to be finalized with the approval of the NBA's Board of Governors sometime before the end of June.

Gores is a Flint-area native and a Michigan State University graduate who is chairman and CEO of Platinum Equity, a global investment firm. Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.4 billion and says he is the 161st-richest American.

Gores is clearly experienced in business, but this is the first time he has delved into the world of owning a major sports franchise. He was asked what type of owner he will be.

“I'll be whatever owner this team needs and this franchise needs,” he said. “When they need me back, I'll be back. I will be impactful. That's for sure. I want us to be successful. I didn't show up here to not be successful.”

Gores said he
plans to keep the Pistons in Auburn Hills; he responded with “Do
you think I'm crazy?” when someone asked him whether he planned to keep
them there. When asked about personnel decisions, he said he is in
wait-and-see mode for now.

“We're going to
learn first,” he said. “We're not in decision-making mode. Are we
afraid of change? Absolutely not. We're ready for change. No problem.
Sometimes you need change. But we are going to learn right now.”

Gores was asked
specifically about the fate of Pistons president of basketball
operations Joe Dumars. Several reports – citing unnamed sources –
have said that Dumars is safe in his role.

“We’re in the
learning process,” he said. “Joe is an amazing part of the
Pistons organization. We have to talk more, make sure we’re all on
the same page, but he clearly is a part of this legacy.”

Gores, who
repeatedly called the Pistons “a community asset,” referred to
his deal with Davidson a “true partnership” and said she handled
the situation “beautifully.”

“Bill clearly
built this house. I have to build on it,” he said. “I haven't
done anything yet. Bill did it all. He built this stadium, he built
the team, he built the championships. We have to go to work. … All
we want to do now is go to work and help the team, the Pistons
organization, the community.